Both succeeding in Greece, Johnson gets critical U.S. call, Adu does not.

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)SoccerTimes

(Friday, February 26, 2010) -- United States midfielder Freddy Adu and striker Eddie Johnson both have worked their way into the starting lineup for Aris Thessaloniki of Greece, but their international careers are heading in opposite directions. Johnson has a chance to play for the United States in this summer's World Cup in South Africa; Adu, who scored twice in Aris' last three outings, apparently does not.

When U.S. coach Bob Bradley yesterday named a 20-player roster for Wednesday's friendly, a visit to play the Netherlands, Johnson was on the list. Adu was not picked for the final game before Bradley names his World Cup roster.

On Sunday, Adu and Johnson were in the starting lineup for Aris, which dropped a defensive struggle 1-0 to host AEK Athens. Johnson went the distance, while Aris manager Hector Raul Cuper took Adu off at halftime.

On February 17, Adu scored for the second straight match for Aris, which defeated Xanthi Skoda 3-0 in a Greek Cup semifinal. In the 24th minute Adu, after a long run up the middle, ran onto a looping cross from the right side and redirected it from the air into the net. Adu played 68 minutes as a starter, while Johnson was used for the final 15 minutes.

On February 14, Adu scored his first goal in Greece and Johnson added an assist in a 2-1 league triumph over Ergotelis.

Just before intermission, Adu ran into the left side of the penalty area and slammed home a low right-side cross. A few minutes earlier, Johnson assisted on Aris' first goal. Adu came off in the 62nd minute, Johnson a minute earlier.

Aris is in fifth place and in position to enter a playoff for a European Champions League spot at 9-6-8 with 35 points.

In France, U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra has been in and out of favor recently with Stade Rennes coach Frédéric Antonetti. On Sunday, Bocanegra played the first 45 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Lille and came out in favor of an attacking midfielder when Rennes shifted to three in the back.

On February 14, Bocanegra was benched for a 1-0 loss at Auxerre. On February 6, Rennes first match after rumors of a Bocanegra move to another club were put to bed with the closing of the January transfer window, the American went the distance in a satisfying 4-2 decision over league-leader Bordeaux.

Rennes is in ninth place in Ligue 1 at 10-8-7 with 37 points.

On February 9, Bocanegra went the whole way, but Rennes was upset in a Coupe de France quarterfinal 1-0 at US Quevilly of the second division.

Bocanegra had a good chance to level the score in the 76th minute when his soft chip from inside the area beat the goalkeeper, but hit the top of the crossbar.

In the German Bundesliga, U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley has been starting and regularly playing 90 minutes in a series of mixed results for Borussia Mönchengladbach.

In Scotland, U.S. midfielders Maurice Edu and DaMarcus Beasley are back to match fitness and were penciled to start last weekend for Glasgow Rangers trip to St. Johnstone, but the match was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

On February 17, Edu went 90 minutes for Rangers, who used a heavily reserve side in a 1-0 win over visiting St. Mirren in a Scottish Cup quarterfinal at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. It was only the second time this season that Edu, because of injury, started and played the entire match.

Beasley and a number of regulars had the night off. On February 14, Beasley played the first half of Rangers' 3-0 victory at Hibernian.

Rangers are first in the Premier League at 17-1-7 with 58 points, seven ahead of Glasgow Celtic.

U.S. midfielder Benny Feilhaber is injured, perhaps more seriously then first believed. He suffered what was initially described as an ankle sprain in a preseason training accident at his Danish club AGF Aarhus. Now, a scan has shown some degree of cartilage damage and the club says he will rest the ankle for another week or so before undergoing a new evaluation.